Tropical forests and savannahs of Paraguay and Brazil. These are a burrowing species that becomes bolder with size/age. In the wild, they can be found in abandoned termite mounds.

Temperament:

Please note that individuals can vary in temperament widely. This species is noted for being particularly defensive, readily throwing a threat display and flicking is particularly irritating urticating hairs. That said, they are typically calmer than N. chormatus and more likely to flee than give a threat pose. They are likely the calmest of the Nhandus. In my experience, I have found these and Nhandus in general to be highly skittish and panicky, scampering for cover if they can find it. I have also found that they DO calm down with some work, and my last big girl would sit with me quietly.

Growth/Size:

I have found these to grow quite fast. They are tiny slings at 3/8”at 2nd instar. My first big girl grew from 3" to close to 7” diagonal leg span within two years. 5.5” to 7” is the normal size they attain. That said, I do have a friend (pet store owner) with a solid, 8" girl who is very gentle and laid back.

Experience Level:

These are an intermediate level tarantula as there are particularly defensive, fiesty, or skittish. The can move quite fast if they are panicked. They readily flee and kick hairs. Their hairs are particularly irritating as well.

Temperature:

These tropical spiders do well with warmer temps. 78-82o F during the day, 68-72o F at night.

Humidity:

80% humidity during most of the year. They have a dry season in their native lands of around 60%.

Enclosure:

As a larger terrestrial species, these do well with some space. 10-gallon tanks should be adequate. A fall from even a short distance could be fatal, so keep the distance from the top of the enclosure to the substrate no more than 1.5 times the diagonal leg span of the spider (9inches). The extra substrate needed for this precaution provides them with opportunity to dig burrows as well.

Substrate:

Eco Earth (coconut husk). You may make a mix of Vermiculite and Eco Earth (75/25). From my experience, Peat Moss does cultivate molds very easily, and thus would not be recommended for this species. Avoid any Evergreen woods (Cypress, Reptile Bark) inside of the enclosure. Evergreen woods contain natural insecticidal oils that can harm your tarantula if exposed long enough. Isopods (rolly-polies, or pillbugs) are a good cleaner to keep in the substrate that will help reduce the risk of mold. Molds can also be inhibited by allowing the substrate to dry out completely (just keep the water dish filled). But isopods require moist environments, so do not dry it out if you keep them in the tank.

Diet:

Crickets, meal worms, wax worms, superworms, Blaptica dubia or Blatta lateralis roaches. Please do not offer wild caught prey, as it may contain pesticides (and potential parasites) which can harm or kill your tarantula. Also never feed your tarantula “kingworms” (giant mealworms) as these are mealworms that have been fed juvenile growth hormones to prevent them from maturing so they grow bigger. JGH are a common insecticide and would not be good for your invertebrate tarantula! (I received this from a personal conversation with a cricket/worm breeder near me). Furthermore, online information often recommends feeding larger tarantulas an occasional baby mouse (i.e. pinky); this is not recommended here on the grounds that the extra calcium can be harmful to their exoskeletons.

Nhandu coloratovillosus is a voracious feeder and fun to watch eat. If given the opportunity, they will try to stuff as many crickets into their fangs as they can. They seem to love to eat. Yet my experience (and that of others here) are that their appetites drop off once they mature.

Water:

Make sure to offer a water bowl, the size should be half the size of the species. Do not use any sponges, cotton balls or paper towel (as these are breeding grounds for bacteria) or water crystals inside of water bowl, just clean water. Small rocks may be added. If possible, mount the bowl higher in the tank rather than sitting it on the floor. Clean the water bowl once a week or when you feel it is necessary, as these love to deficate in their water. Crickets or roaches may end up dead in the water, in which case you should clean it right away. Spiderlings are too small to have a water bowl, misting one side of the enclosure wall 1-2 times aweek, should be plenty enough. Your tarantula may often fill the dish with substrate, or even poop in it (these seem to love to do this), but continue to provide clean water. Also I periodically wet the substrate, allowing that to dry out completely to prevent mold growth.

Maturity/Longevity Female:

Females may take 2-5 years to mature, and live for up to 15 years. Increasing factors such as temperature and feeding schedule can shorten these times.

Maturity/ Longevity Male/ Tibial Apophysis:

Yes, males have tibial apophysis. They may take 1.5-3 years to mature and live less than a year after maturing. Increasing factors such as temperature and feeding schedule can shorten these times.

Communal Setup:

No. These are not communal at all. Do not attempt to house these together unless breeding a male and female, and then, keep a close eye on them as she can be particularly aggressive towards him.

Color Markings:

A most striking spider with a velvety black base, creamy white knees and joints, dark carapace lined with that same creamy white, chelicerae of that same white. Brick red highlight setae on the abdomen and legs, giving a shaggy pink appearance. These are most striking as black and white when juveniles, but grow less contrasted and almost lose their knee pads when older, having an over all dark pink shag.

Special Note:

The Nhandu coloratovillosus is a hardy species, yet entertaining and strikingly beautiful tarantula. As they are one of the most prolific reproducing tarantluas in the hobby (with sacs from up to 1,000 spiderlings) their supply is rarely lacking in the hobby. As such, they are not particularly expensive.

Make sure never to keep a Tarantula enclosure directly in the sun. No light is necessary for your Tarantulas habitat. Natural lighting is perfectly fine. Nhandus seem particularly panicky in direct sunlight, seeking shade as fast as they can find it.